REPUBLIC ACTS

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6716 - AN
ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER WELLS, RAINWATER
COLLECTORS, DEVELOPMENT OF SPRINGS AND REHABILITATION OF EXISTING WATER
WELLS IN ALL BARANGAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Section
1.
Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the national
policy to promote the quality of life of every Filipino through the
provision of adequate social service including, but not limited to, the
provision of adequate potable water supply made conveniently available
to every barangay in the country.

Sec. 2. Water Wells, Rainwater Collectors and
Spring Development. — The Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) shall, within thirty (30) days after the approval of this Act,
undertake construction of water wells, rainwater collectors,
development of springs and rehabilitation of existing water wells in
all barangays in the Philippines in such number as may be needed and
feasible, taking into consideration the population, hydrologic
conditions, costs of project development and operations, financial and
economic factors and institutional arrangements: provided, however,
that the DPWH shall deduct not more than five percent (5%) for
supervision, engineering, technical and other overhead expenses or
fees: provided, further, that each barangay in the country shall have
at least one additional potable water source.

Sec. 3. Operation and Maintenance. — In order to
ensure the proper use of the water facilities herein provided, a
Barangay Waterworks and Sanitation Association, herein referred to as
BWSA, shall be formed and organized for the purpose of maintaining the
water facilities: provided, that pending the organization of the BWSA,
the water facilities shall be operated and maintained by the barangay
council.

The BWSA shall be composed of the member-consumers who shall
administer, operate and maintain the completed water facility and shall
be registered with the corresponding municipal or city council.

The BWSA may impose such minimal charges as may be necessary for the
maintenance and normal repairs of said facility. Nothing herein shall
prevent any resident of the locality from using the water facility
under the same terms and conditions as the member-consumers of the
BWSA.

Organizing and training the recipient communities in the operation and
maintenance of water systems shall be conducted by the DPWH prior to
the turnover of such facilities to the BWSA subject to the guidelines
to be formulated by the Department.

Sec. 4. Submission of Report. — The Department of
Public Works and Highways shall, within ninety (90) days after the
approval of this Act and every one hundred eighty (80) days thereafter,
submit periodic reports to the respective Committees on Public Works
and Highways of both Houses of the Congress of the Philippines for
evaluation and consideration.

Sec. 5. Funding. — The sum needed for the
implementation of the construction, rehabilitation and repair program
shall be taken from any available appropriations for the Department of
Public Works and Highways in the General Appropriations Act for 1989:
provided, that funds for this purpose shall also be included in the
General Appropriations Act for 1990 and 1991: provided, further, that
the total program shall be completed not later than June 30, 1991, and:
provided, finally, that there shall be equitable and proportionate
appropriations of funds annually for this purpose for all provinces,
cities and municipalities.n addition, a portion of financial grants and
concessional loans extended to the Philippines by foreign governments
and multilateral agencies every year, the amount to be determined by
the President, shall be allocated by the Department of Budget and
Management to augment the appropriations of the Department of Public
Works and Highways until one hundred thousand (100,000) water wells,
rainwater collectors, and springs are completed as envisioned in this
Act.

Sec. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect
upon its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.